Based on true events and exploring the validity of age-gap relationships
“We couldn’t think of a better platform for these conversations than Edinburgh’s thoughtful and engaged audiences.”
GERONTO, a bold new LGBTQ+ UK short film addressing the validity of age-gap relationships, receives its European premiere at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, which runs 13th to 19th August.
Shot in London, the film stars BAFTA Winner Jason Watkins (Dirty Business, The Crown, The Lost Honour Of Christopher Jeffries) and Noah Valentine (Waterloo Road, Inside No. 9). Written with autobiographical content by actor Christopher Sherwood (Triumph Of The Heart, All Is Vanity), who is also executive producer, it’s produced by Chimera Lab’s Tom Taplin (Asst Producer on HBO’s Youth), directed by Mark Pluck (Iris Prize nominee, Hornbeam), with a score by Brit-Award nominated Sister Bliss of Faithless.
Based on true events, the film follows a young man with a secret attraction to older men, leading to an unexpected bond that is tested by a painful misunderstanding. Delicate yet daring, it offers a rare portrait of queer intimacy across generations. Following its World Premiere at Rhode Island Film Festival, Geronto is screening at Edinburgh International Film Festival on 14th and 16th August. With these being BAFTA-qualifying festivals, it means that the film is now eligible for this year’s Best British Short Film Award.
Christopher Sherwood, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Lee Dean (Judy) expresses his delight with the film festival screening stating,” Edinburgh feels like the artistic centre of the world in August, it’s a city I love, and to be premiering at such a prestigious festival is a great honour.”
Offering some insight into the film, he says, “Navigating a sexuality for which I had no frame of reference whilst growing up was not entirely easy. The story behind this film was just one of my experiences that exemplifies this. It’s an uncomfortably personal story to share, but my hope is that it brings comfort to other underrepresented people like me and enlightenment to those who may leap to wrong conclusions when they see such age-difference intimacy”
Geronto screens 79th Edinburgh International Film Festival in the Out of Competition shorts programme on 14th August in Cameo Cinema and 16th August in Cineworld.: https://www.edfilmfest.org/film/out-of-competition-shorts-3/